...focuses on five offices of an international public accounting firm that recently made large IT investments, primarily in audit software and knowledge-sharing applications. Both qualitative and quantitative information from the research site are analyzed to estimate the change in productivity following the implementation of IT. The results from both regression analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) indicate significant productivity gains following IT implementation, documenting the value impact of IT in a public accounting firm. Keywords: public accounting; information technology (IT); IT productivity; IT adoption; data envelopment analysis. Data Availability: The confidentiality agreement with the firm that provided the data for this study precludes revealing its identity and disseminating detailed data without its written consent. I. INTRODUCTION dvances in information technology (IT) have transformed many firms in professional services industries, but perhaps none as much as those in the public accounting industry. Once a slowpaced and conservative industry, public accounting underwent tremendous changes at the turn of the millennium, sparked largely by the rapid changes in its IT environment (Elliott 2000). Audit software and knowledge-sharing applications are two crucial components of these changes. Automation of audit tasks and use of specialized audit software has...
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...been Enronaa’s auditor for the past 16 years. On the morning of October 23, David and his auditing team listened in on a call between stock analysts and Enronaa’s executives, who were trying to explain the company’s financial free fall. There were too many unanswered questions. After lunch, David called the entire Enronaa team together in Conference Room 37C1. His heart beat faster as he thought about the net that was closing in on Androids. As his eyes wandered around the room, on one of the conference room walls was an imposing picture of Arthur Androids. David was particularly proud of the long and distinguished history of the firm. His mind wandered as if to witness how in 1913, Arthur and Clarence, both from the audit firm of Price, bought out a small audit firm in Illinois to form Arthur, Clarence & Co., which became Androids & Co. in 1918. Androids, who headed the firm until his death in 1945, was a zealous supporter of high standards in the accounting industry. A stickler for honesty, he argued that accountants’ responsibility was to investors, not their clients’ management. During the early years, it was reputed that Androids was approached by an executive from a local rail utility to sign off on accounts containing flawed accounting, or else face the loss of a major client. Androids refused in no uncertain terms, replying that he would not sign the accounts “for all the money in America”. Leonardo Sparky, who succeeded Androids at the...
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...many unanswered questions. After lunch, David called the entire Enronaa team together in Conference Room 37C1. His heart beat faster as he thought about the net that was closing in onAndroids. As his eyes wandered around the room, on one of the conference room my team had been st i,enored. In fact, a calls were stunned b David's explanation and conference calls r called LJM2, Tom v similar troubles, ant people listening in." ally knew for certai Enronaa, he was the rd ffi i* (;/l walls was an imposing picture of Arthur Androids. David was particularly proud of the long and distinguished history of the firm. His mind wandered as if to witness how in 1913, Arthur and Clarence, both from the audit firm of Price, bought out a small audit firm in Illinois to form Arthur, Clarence & Co which becameAndroids & Co. in 1918. Androids, who headed the firm until his death in 1945, was a zealous supporter of high standards in the accounting industry. A stickler for honesty, he argued that accountants' responsibility was to investors, not their clients' management. During the early years, it was reputed that Androids was...
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...study focuses on five offices of an international public accounting firm that recently made large IT investments, primarily in audit software and knowledge-sharing applications. Both qualitative and quantitative information from the research site are analyzed to estimate the change in productivity following the implementation of IT. The results from both regression analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) indicate significant productivity gains following IT implementation, documenting the value impact of IT in a public accounting firm. Keywords: public accounting; information technology (IT); IT productivity; IT adoption; data envelopment analysis. Data Availability: The confidentiality agreement with the firm that provided the data for this study precludes revealing its identity and disseminating detailed data without its written consent. I. INTRODUCTION dvances in information technology (IT) have transformed many firms in professional services industries, but perhaps none as much as those in the public accounting industry. Once a slowpaced and conservative industry, public accounting underwent tremendous changes at the turn of the millennium, sparked largely by the rapid changes in its IT environment (Elliott 2000). Audit software and knowledge-sharing applications are two crucial components of these changes. Automation of audit tasks and use of...
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...Unit: 2 The North Face Case AC503: Advanced Auditing 1. Should auditors insist that their clients accept all proposed audit adjustments, even those that have an “immaterial” effect on the given financial statements? No, if we consider overall accounting. Companies shouldn’t have to adopt an auditor’s proposal. Yes, if we consider this case with North Face. You see Crawford new Deloitte’s materiality threshold and expected them to propose adjustments but ultimately pass due to the fact there was no assumed “Immaterial” impact. However, it was later realized that Crawford did not inform the Deloitte auditors of the $2.65 million portion of the barter transaction. It safer to purpose and report then purpose and pass. 2. Should auditors take explicit measures to prevent their clients from discovering or becoming aware of the materiality thresholds used on individual audit engagements? Would it be feasible for auditors to conceal this information from their audit clients? I think so. It would avoid companies like North Face and individuals like Crawford to take advantage of these thresholds. I don’t know how feasible it would be since auditor’s live by certain standards and transparency. The goal of an auditor is to be objective and honest, by concealing materiality threshold they would doing the very thing they are trying impose. 3. Identify the general principles or guidelines that dictate when companies are entitled to record revenue. How were these principles or guidelines...
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...the form and content of working papers? a. Nature and complexity of the business b. Form of the auditor's report c. Specific audit methodology and technology used in the course of the audit. d. Estimated audit fee agreed upon between the client and the auditor. 2. Which of the following need not be documented in the working papers as required by PSA 230(Clarified)? a. Audit evidence obtained, the audit procedures applied and the testing performed have provided sufficient competent evidential matter to afford a reasonable basis for an opinion. b. The work has been adequately planned and supervised. c. A sufficient understanding of the internal control structure had been obtained to plan the audit and to determine the nature, timing and extent of tests to be performed. d. Basis in choosing the members of the audit engagement team. 3. When planning an audit, which of the following is not a factor that affects auditors' decisions about the quantity, type, and content of audit working papers? a. The auditors' need to document compliance with financial reporting standards. b. The existence of new sales contracts important for the client's business. c. The auditors' judgment about their independence with regard to the client. d, The auditors' judgments about materiality. 4. An audit working paper that shows the detailed evidence and procedures regarding the balance in the accumulated depreciation account for the year under audit will be found in the ...
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...Chapter 8: Audit Evidence and Assurance Audit Procedures: auditors set out 6 basic types of evidence, and use 6 general techniques to gather it. TECHNIQUE | TYPE OF EVIDENCE | Recalculation | Auditors calculation | Observation | Physical observation | Confirmation | Statements by independent parties | Enquiry | Statements by client personnel | Inspection | -Documents prepared by independent parties-Documents prepared by the client-Physical inspection of tangible assets | Analysis | Data interrelationships | Recalculation / Reperformance: Performing independent calculations or recalculating the client’s calculations. • Computation produces highly reliable mathematical evidence. • Computation addresses existence and valuation for calculated amounts. Reperformance is applied in control testing, the auditor independently executes an internal control procedure. Observation: looking at the application of policy or procedures by others. (reliable evidence as to performance at the time of observation) PRODUCES A GENERAL AWARENESS OF EVENTS. Confirmation: consist of written enquiry to verify accounting records. Can produce evidence regarding existence, ownership, valuation, and cut off. -should be printed on the clients letterhead, signed by the client officer. -auditor needs to ensure that the address on the confirmation is legitimate -the recipient should be able to provide the information. -the auditor must mail the confirmations. -Responses must...
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...NOTE AUDIT REPORT AND WORKING PAPERS OF M/s Global Industries, 609-560/1 & 2, Jigani Industrial Area, Bangalore – 562 106 UNDER EA - 2000 (AUDIT PERIOD: Sept 2011 to Sept 2012 Auditors Shri S.P.Vasan, Superintendent (Audit) and Shri Bhanu Srinivas, Superintendent (Audit) SUPERVISION & GUIDANCE Shri Shrawan Kumar, Addl.Commissoner (Audit) Shri B.N.Ramesh, Asst.Commissioner(Audit) CENTRAL EXCISE BANGALORE – I COMMISSIONERATE WORKING PAPERS TO BE USED WITH STANDARD AUDIT PROGRAM FOR UNITS PAYING ANNUAL PLA REVENUE MORE THAN RS. 1 CRORE. (Approximate period of audit inclusive of preparation – 10 working days) INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING UP THE WORKING PAPERS 1. Each part of the Working Paper (starting from Part C) should be filled up on completion of the relevant audit step. The date on which such part is completed and Working Paper filled should be mentioned. Part A& B can be filled up at the end before submission of the Working Papers. 2. The completed Working Papers must be submitted by the audit team with the draft Audit Report (prepared as per proforma given in Annexure N in Part IV) forming the top sheet. 3. Copies of supporting documents/records/evidences referred to in the Working Papers must be annexed at the end. Each of the copy should be cross-reference to the relevant entry in the Working Paper. 4. The Working Papers form the basis...
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...Hi, Thanks for the opportunity for this site to be used and for the sharing of the information. Audit working papers are the documents which record all audit evidence obtained during financial statements auditing, internal management auditing, information systems auditing, and investigations. Audit working papers are used to support the audit work done in order to provide assurance that the audit was performed in accordance with the relevant auditing standards. They show the audit was: * Properly planned; * Carried out; * There was adequate supervision; * That the appropriate review was undertaken; & finally and most importantly; * That the evidence is sufficient and appropriate to support the audit opinion. The Institute of Internal Auditors, a global professional audit standards body, has issued practice advisory 2330-1 stating the goals of audit working papers are to:[1] * Document the planning, performance, and review of audit work; * Provide the principal support for audit communication such as observations, conclusions, and the final report; * Facilitate third-party reviews and re-performance requirements; and * Provide a basis for evaluating the internal audit activity’s quality control program. Audit working papers are the property of the auditor. In order to keep professional ethic, it cannot discover to third party without consent of the client unless limited specified situations mentioned in ISA 230 Documentation and required...
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...regard. Having regard to the above development, the Council at its 333th meeting, revised the syllabus in a comprehensive manner in the following papers of Intermediate (IPC) and Final Course(s) as annexed herewith (shown in Bold cum Italics): Intermediate (IPC) Course Paper 1: Accounting (Group I) Paper 2: Business Laws, Ethics and Communication (Group I) Paper 5: Advanced Accounting (Group II) Paper 6: Auditing and Assurance (Group II) Final Course Paper 3: Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics (Group I) Paper 4: Corporate and Allied Laws (Group I) Director, Board of Studies Annexure SYLLABUS PAPER 1: ACCOUNTING (One paper – Three hours – 100 Marks) Level of Knowledge : Working Knowledge Objectives : (a) To lay a foundation for the preparation and presentation of financial statements, (b) To gain working knowledge of the principles and procedures of accounting and their application to different practical situations, (c) To gain the ability to solve simple problems and cases relating to sole proprietorship, partnership and companies and (d) To familiarize students with the fundamentals of computerized system of accounting. Contents : 1. A General Knowledge of the framing of the accounting standards, national and international accounting authorities, adoption of international financial reporting standards Accounting Standards Working knowledge of: AS AS...
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...and risks for an audit proposal. After analyzing the necessary components the team recommends that an SAS 94 audit is appropriate for Kudler. To conduct the audit the auditor will use computer assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATTs) or in Kudler’s case computer assisted audit techniques (CAATs). The following brief is an explanation of how CAATs is used to validate data and the system integrity, and explain audit productivity software. CAATs CAAT is techniques that increase the auditor’s productivity and effectiveness during the audit function. CAATTs uses tools, such as software to increase the auditor’s productivity and extract data, and analyze the data in addition to the techniques. The techniques are used to validate application integrity and verify data integrity of Kudler’s information systems. “These techniques include generating test decks of data, writing and embedding automated audit modules, and performing digital analysis and linear regression on a client’s data” (Hunton, 2004, p. 179). CAAT assists the auditor in collecting sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful evidence that supports the planned audit objects. The Standards Board of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) governs the use of CAATs with Guideline 70. Guideline 70 provides guidance in the areas of planning, execution, documentation, and reporting when using CAATs. The auditor uses a decision-making process when and how to use CAATs in the audit. The process is a...
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...-View the file and document that has been audited by the company such as :- * PAF (Permanent Audit File ) – BLUE * CAF (Client Audit File) – YELLOW * TF (Tax File) – RED-View of the company’s background such as :- * Introduction about Zulfahmy & Co. * Corporate Vision * Professional services – auditing, consulting services, taxation, secretarial and accounting, internal audit services. -Learn on how to use fax machine. | Able to get to know the managers and other officers in the organization and their responsibilities. | 05 Feb 2013(Tuesday) | - Recall double entry treatment.-Learn and write name of the company, company’s account number, amount in the slip of Muamalat Bank, and deposit cheque at Muamalat Bank. After deposit the cheque we need to take the slip report and filing the slip in file.-Learn on how to use a Photostat machine.-Learn on how to do a casting (figure). | Understanding on how deposit check to bank muamalat. | 06 Feb 2013(Wednesday) | -View a blue file (permanent audit file) : * PILOT POWER SDN. BHD * NALURIAN SDN. BHD-Having a short quiz and interview with staff.-Discuss the answer and learn to interpret the documents.-Learn on how to record the journal EPF and SOCSO. | Learning process | 07 Feb 2013(Thursday) | -Having a first meeting session with En. Zul.-Learn on how to use UBS.-View the audit report contained in the audit file with the employees’ help to explain its content. - Learn on how to use fax machines, binding...
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...misstated or that the auditing procedures need to be significantly modified. Circumstances that cause the auditor significant difficulty in applying auditing procedures he or she considers necessary. Other findings that could result in modification of the auditor’s report. Compliance of Auditing Standards and Audit Documentation – a must for all practice units satisfy any applicable legal or regulatory requirements for records retention. Internationally the norm is assemble the final audit file and submit it for archiving within 60 days from the date of our audit report. The PCAOB standard has shortened this period to 45 days. 51 The auditor would also need to adopt procedures that enable him or her to gain access to the documentation throughout that period. One way for auditors to accomplish this is by creating a policy to maintain electronic documentation. One needs to bear in mind that archiving needs to be done in a format that ensures its compatibility with newer versions of audit software or by retaining older versions of such software and, if necessary, the hardware on which it runs. Also, working papers for a specific audit engagement are assembled in a separate audit file. • • Conclusion 52 Auditors in India will have to gear themselves up to meet the new...
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...HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY As with many of his audit staff counterparts across the country, Bill Turner spent the last day of the year performing inventory observation procedures. His assignment that December 31 included taking test measurements at a client’s grain elevator in a small prairie community. Bill had measured grain inventories on two previous audits and was the in-charge accountant on this audit. Bill’s observations of the quantity of grain in the elevator fell ten percent below the client’s records. Bill’s attention was drawn to the discrepancy in the two measurements of what was in the elevator because, in his judgment, such a gap was significant enough to be material. The resulting difference between the inventory as reported by the client and the audited amount was enough to cause a significant drop in net income. Bill documented his findings in the working papers and proposed an adjusting entry for the difference. Upon delving further into the matter, Bill determined that a discrepancy in the grain inventory had also surfaced two months previously. The quantity of grain, as reported by a government inspector at that time was also lower than that on the client’s records. The difference in the inventory valuation, however, was not as great as that in Bill’s tests. Still, no adjustment to the client’s records was made. This information was also documented in the working papers. Prior to discussing the discrepancy with the client, Bill told Greg, the...
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...Releases What's New Upcoming Events Speeches Testimony Special Studies Complaint Data Open Meetings Other Webcasts | | Litigation Information for... Divisions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Home > News & Statements > Press Releases Former Ernst & Young Audit Partner Arrested for Obstruction Charges and Criminal Violations of Sarbanes-Oxley ActFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2003-123 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission San Francisco District Office 44 Montgomery St., 11th Floor San Francisco, California 94104 (415) 705-2500 | U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Northern District of California 11th Floor, Federal Building 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36055 San Francisco, California 94102 (415) 436-7200 FAX:(415) 436-7234 | US Attorney's Office and FBI Announce Guilty Plea of Former Ernst & Young Auditor to Obstruction ChargesSEC Charges Former Ernst & Young Employees for Alleged Role in Destruction of Audit Working PapersThomas C. Trauger, a former Ernst & Young partner who allegedly altered and destroyed audit working papers, was arrested this morning by FBI agents on criminal charges for obstructing investigations by both the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The arrest and charges were announced today by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,...
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